Children in both groups showed good weight gain (mean (SD) increase in weight SD score for the specialist health visitor intervention group 0.59 (0.63) v 0.42 (0.62) for the control group).

Children<12 months in the intervention group showed a higher mean (SD) increase in weight SD score than the control group (0.82 (0.86) upsilon 0.42 (0.79)). Both groups improved in developmental score and energy intake.

No significant differences were found for the primary outcome measures, but controls had significantly more dietary referrals, social service involvement, and hospital admissions, and were less compliant with appointments.

Conclusions-The study failed to show that specialist health visitor intervention conferred additional benefits for the child.

However, the specialist health visitor did provide a more coordinated approach, with significant savings in terms of health service use. (...)